Mazel Tov Kocktail!
Tall Man, 2021
9/10
The Southern California sensations Ira B. Liss Big Band Jazz Machine return with a dozen new, swingin’ tunes, and they’ve got some esteemed guests on hand to help flesh out the fun.
“Gimme That” starts the listen on a high note, where bright brass, no shortage of grooves and incredible skill from Andew Neu’s tenor sax and Mike Vax’s trumpet don’t disappoint, and “High Wire”, with Carly Ines on vocals, follows with her playful pipes guiding the warm jazz climate on the Chick Corea original.
Near the middle, “Bass: The Final Frontier” benefits greatly from Nathan East’s bass prowess as funk nods enter the lively atmosphere, while “You’d Better Love Me While You May” puts Janet Hammer’s expressive vocals on display as Tyler Richardson and David Barnard contribute alto sax and trombone respectively in the big band execution.
“Springtime”, the record’s best, lands near the end and illustrates much skill from Steve Sibley’s piano, as the rhythm section works together meticulously, and “Joy Spring” brings Ines back on vocals amid a frisky energy complete with scatting. “Where Or When” exits the listen just as strong as it started, where Matt DiBase’s vibraphone complements Hammer’s soaring pipes superbly.
Liss formed the band way back in 1979, and they’re still moving fluidly between originals and standards on this timeless and top notch big band and jazz effort that you’re likely to be smitten with immediately.
Travels well with: Dan Bonsanti And The 14 Jazz Orchestra- Cartoon Bebop; The Grasso-Ravita Jazz Ensemble- Jagged Spaces